Cotton drier and feed control



F. E. DEEMS ET AL COTTON DRIER AND FEED CONTROL April 28, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1954 ATTORNEY A ril 28, 1959 F. E. DEEMS ETAL COTTON DRIER AND FEED CONTROL Filed Jan. 29, 1954 m; W W w 12 A Mw a? Z COTTON DRIER AND FEED CONTROL Application January 29, 1954, Serial No. 407,036 A 7 Claims. c1. 19-459 This invention relates to cotton ginning equipment, and in particular to a combination control feed bin and drier adapted to control the rate of feed of cotton from the wagons to the ginning equipment and to pre-condition or pre-treat the cotton.

In the present gins cotton is fed directly from the Wagon to the ginning equipment. This results in intermittent feed. There'is either too much cotton going to the ginning equipment or too little, and there is apt to be a lack of uniformity in the ginned cotton as a result. This spasmodic delivery is particularly undesirable with mechanically picked cotton which contains large amounts of moisture, trash and unopened bolls. Also with mechanically picked cotton there is often a substantial amount of cotton twisted over twigs and other trash. This further increases the job of ginning the cotton. Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention are the provision of a means for receiving the intermittent feed from the wagons and feeding therefrom to the ginning equipment at a uniform rate and the provision of means for pretreating and predrying the cotton prior to its being fed to the ginning equipment.

Another object of our invention is to provide a cotton ginning feed control system which feeds cotton to the ginning equipment at uniform rates, which accepts intermittent or non-uniform feed from the wagons, which preconditions the cotton and which automatically governs or controls the rate of feed from the wagons to the control system proper so as to control the amount of cotton within the latter system. The system herein disclosed in normal operation contains a quantity of cotton.v This quantity is continuously depleted by the constant'feed to the ginning equipment and intermittently added to by feed from the wagons. Controls are provided which will normally prevent complete depletion of the cotton in the system, so long as cotton is available from the wagons, as well as the presence of an undesirably large quantity.

The control system comprises a bin of sufficient size for the purpose. Cotton is fed from the wagons to the bin and from the bin to the ginning equipment The bin has feed means for feeding to the ginning equipment. A portion of the automatic controlmeans is associated with the bin and is adapted to be operated on by the cotton therein. It is obviously desirable that the cotton be relatively dry and uniform 'in the bin in order to obtain more satisfactory operation of the controls and feed to the ginning equipment. eration follows from the uniformity of the cotton since feed means can be more accurately operated with uniform material and sensing devices for automatic controls are less liable to error or improper operation where the sampling or sensing of the controls is done upon homogeneous uniform material. Therefore, it is a further object of the invention to provide a means for controlling the feed of cotton to ginning equipment coupled with a means for preconditioning the cotton in which the preconditioning is accomplished prior to the time the cotton 4 United tates Patent More satisfactory o'p- 2,883,709 Patented Apr. 28, :9

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comes in contact with the automatic control means and feeding devices for feeding to the ginning equipment.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a means for opening cotton bolls and drying cotton coupled with a means for controlling the feed of cotton from a source of supply to the ginning equipment.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a combination feed control and cotton conditioning'apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manner in which the invention is utilized in a cotton gin.

Figure 3 is a view taken along line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a part of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 and illustrating additional details not shown in Fig. 1.

'Figure 5 is a side view of a control valve and asso ciated mechanism forming a part of the invention.

Figure 6 is a side sectional view of the valve of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken along the line 77 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters in the several figures indicate similar elements.

Referring now in particular to the drawing:

The combination feed control and preconditioning apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is adapted to be positioned in the gin mill between the wagon telescope and the driers, cleaners, 'burr machines, etc. As seen in Figure 2, the apparatus 10 has a separator 12 which is directly connected to wagon telescope 14 and fan 16. A feed chamber 18 is adapted to collect the treated material at the lower end of the apparatus and the latter is connected to a heater 20 and driers 22. A fan 23 is utilized to draw air through heater 20, chamber 18 and drier 22. Thus it is seen that cotton is deposited in the upper end of the apparatus and removed at the lower end with air being used to convey the cotton in the usual manner. Obviously other means can be employed for such purpose. Figure 2 also generally illustrates flue connections 24 and 26 for the introduction and removal of a medium used to treat the material within the apparatus, such as air. The overflow end of a distributor 28, such as used for distributing cotton to the gins, is also shown to be connected to thefeed control and preconditioning apparatus.

As seen in 1, a vacuum dropper 30 is positioned between the separator 12 and the vertically elongated bin 10. The bin isformed of upper section 32 and lower section 34 The upper section has an opening 36 for the introduction of material such as cotton. Directly below the admission or entrance opening 36, there is provided an agitator, roller 38. The roller 38 extends transversely of the bin and comprises a drum 40, vanes or spikes 42 and a shaft 44. The vanes may be constructed of sheet metal or any other suitable material and may be continuous or discontinuous, corrugated or straight. The shaft is supported in the drum in any convenient manner and is journaled in bearings connected to the shell of the bin. Obviously, any suitable means, such as belts, pulleys, etc. may be used to drive the agitator roller. The roller 38 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 46.

The agitator roller38 has the function of striking the cotton received from the dropper 30 and throwing it in the direction of the arrow 46, so as to strike the baffle 48.

A baffle 48 extends downwardly and inwardly from one side of the upper section 32. The baflle is positioned so as to receive the cotton from the agitator roller and guide it downwardly and inwardly of the upper section.

As seen in Fig. 3, the baffle may consist of an angle bracket 50 and spaced cylindrical rods 52 secured to the bracket by welding or other convenient means. The bracket is attached to the bin. The rods are spaced sufficiently to permit the passage of air or a similar medium, between them, but will support the material, such as cotton, and guide it downwardly and inwardly.

A second agitator roller -fis positioned at the inner end of bafiie This second roller rotates in the manner indicated by arrow 56, and is adapted to receive the cotton from the baffie and throw it upwardly and generally agitate it. A second baffle 58 constructed similarly to baffle 48 is adapted to receive the cotton from roller 54. A third agitator roller 60 receives the cotton from bafiie 58 and moves it onto bafiie 62. When the cotton leaves baffle 62 it drops down onto the inclined lower panel 64 and is guided downwardly toward vacuum dropper 68, which serves to separate and connect the upper and lower sections 32 and 34. The agitator rollers 54 and so have the same function as roller 3%, namely, to strike the cotton received from above the rollers and throw it across the casing toward the baffles in the line of flight of the cotton from the rollers. The agitators 33, 54 and 61 will break unopened or partially open bolls of cotton as well as generally agitate the cotton and accordingly they are often referred to as breaker rollers.

While the cotton is being agitated and directed downwardly through upper section 32 unopened bolls are opened, the cotton is generally fiuffed up and hot air can be introduced through conduit 24 and exhausted through conduit 26. Thus while the cotton is being flulfed and the bolls opened, drying is also achieved. A a result, when the cotton drops through dropper 65 into the lower section 3 it has a de ree of uniformity insofar as unopened bolls, fluffiness and dryness are concerned. Also due to the fact that there has been a previous drying, the cotton as it enters lower section 34, will not be matted or tend to mat.

The lower section 34 comprises a vertically elongated chamber 70, which is adapted to hold a quantity of cot ton; The exact size of this chamber will vary in accordance with the installations with which the apparatus is used. At its lower end the chamber is provided with feed rollers 72, 74, which may vary in number. A feed chamber 18 forms the lower end of lower section 34 and receives cotton from the feed rollers. As seen in Fig. 2, this chamber can be connected to a fan, and a heater, if desired, for transporting the cotton to the usual ginning apparatus, such as dryers, cleaners, etc.

The distributor 23 is the usual form of distributor employed for distributing cotton to the gins. When there is too much cotton being fed to the gins, the overflow cotton will force plate valve 76 open. Plate valve 76 is pivotally connected to the lower section 34 and normally is held, by gravity, in a position such that the opening for the overflow from the distributor is closed. This prevents air and cotton leaving the bin via the distributor. ilate as can be pivotally connected to the bin in any convenient manner and can be weighted, if necessary. Lower section 34 also contains control means sensitive to the amount of cotton therein. Such means is indicated generally at 73 and 3G in Fig. l, and it and its associated mechanisms are more clearly seen in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 7.

Lower section 34, generally considered, comprises a means for retaining cotton received from the wagons and delivering the cotton to the ginning equipment proper at a more or less uniform rate and in a more or less uniform condition. Thus, despite the fact that the feed from the wagons is intermittent and irregular, the feed to the gins will be constant. This will obviously result in a more uniform ginning and more etficient use of the ginning equipment generally. It is obvious, however, that if the intermittent rate of feed from the wagon is greater than the uniform rate of feed to the gin equipment the feed control and preconditioning apparatus will become filled with cotton. However, this occurrence is prevented by the unique control system forming a portion of the invention.

The control elements 7% and 8t? comprise cylindrical segments which may be formed of sheet metal and in a plan view, look very similar to a piece of pie. The sheet metal elements can be united by welding. At their apex the segments have a shaft 82. Shaft 82 is rotatably supported in a flange 84 which extends around an opening in the side of lower section 34. Each opening is of sufficient size to closely receive its associated segment. Each control segment can pivot on its shaft in and out of the chamber 70.

The shafts 32 are connected to levers 36 and 88, respectively. These levers have adjustable weights and 92 at one end and at their inner or opposite end are pivotally connected to vertically supported rods 94, 96, which are in turn slidingly guided by slides 98 and 100.

Platform 102 is pivotally corrected to the side of the bin adjacent the rods 94, 96. Weight 104 is connected to the platform by a lever arm. At one end the platform is provided with a mercury switch 1% having normally opened contacts. As indicated in Fig. 4, the platform can rotate about its pivotal connection to the dotted line position shown, in which the weight 1M will tend to rotate the platform clockwise, whereas in the normal solid line position of Fig. 4, the weight tends to rotate the platform counterclockwise. When in the dotted line position the mercury switch contacts are closed.

The weights 9% and 92 constantly urge the control elements 78 and 8t inwardly of chamber 70. However, it is seen that when cotton piles up against the control elements the weight of the cotton will at some point become sufiicient to force these elements outwardly of the chamber. When the lower control element is forced outwardly rod )6 is moved downwardly, as indicated. This, however, has no effect on platform M52. However, when the cotton reaches a sufficient height to force the upper element 78 outwardly, rod 94 will force platform 102 into the dotted line position.

Referring now to Fig. 2: Fan conduit lllld has a housing mounted theeron (see also Fig. 5). Valve 112 which is normally positioned as indicated in Fig. 6, is rotatably supported within the fan conduit by means of its shaft 113. At one end the valve shaft is connected to the operating rod 114.

Spring lilo connects to one side of the operating rod and solenoid armature 118 to the other side. Any suitable means of connection may be used. It is obvious that the spring tends to hold the valve in the solid line position shown in Fig. 6. However, when the solenoid is energized valve 112 will move to the dotted line position 120, in which the suction through the separator 12 will be cut off. This will stop the fiow of cotton from the wagon.

From the foregoing description it is seen that when mercury switch 1% is moved to its upper position, the solenoid will become energized, cutting off the flow of cotton from the wagons. When the flow of cotton is cut oil from the wagons the flow of cotton downwardly of the lower section 34 continues. This, of course, lowers the level of the cotton in the lower section. Eventually the cotton will recede sufliciently to allow weight 90 to force element 78 inwardly. This will raise rod 94. However, platform 102 remains in the dotted line position because weight 104 is now tending to turn the platform clockwise. When, however, the level of cotton lowers still further, weight 92 will force control element 30 inwardly, raise rod 96 and tilt platform llll back to its normal position. When this occurs the mercury switch will open, the solenoid will become deenergized and air will again be drawn through separator 12, drawing cotton from the wagons. The weight and size of the elements can be chosen to fit the installations with which they are used.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the app :nded claims.

We claim:

1. A combined feed control and preconditioning apparatus for bulk feeding material comprising a vertically elongated bin formed of an upper and lower section, means for delivering material to said upper section, means in said upper section for agitating the material including agitator rollers positioned laterally of said upper section and in position to receive said material, means sealing said upper section from said lower section and for delivering material from the upper to the lower section, means for introducing a processing medium for treating said material at the lower end of said upper section, means for the passage of the medium outwardly of the upper end of said upper section, said lower section including means for feeding material outwardly of the lower end thereof, control means in said lower section sensitive to the quantity of material therein and operable to control the feed of material to said upper section from a source of supply by said means for delivering material in accordance with the amount of material in said lower section, said means for delivering material to said upper section comprising a sealing means for preventing passage of said medium outwardly therethrough, the lower end of said upper section being sealed from said lower section to prevent interchange of fluid between said upper and said lower sections.

2. A cotton gin feed control and preconditioning apparatus comprising a vertically elongated bin having upper and lower sections, an upper opening in said upper section, means for feeding cotton into said upper section through said upper opening, means for agitating the cotton in the upper section, means for introducing and removing air from said upper section, means for feeding cotton from said upper section to the lower section and for sealing the upper section from the lower section to prevent passage of air from said lower section to said upper section, said means for feeding cotton into said upper section comprising means preventing the flow of air from said upper section through said upper opening, means in said lower section for retaining a variable quantity of cotton therein, means for feeding from said quantity of cotton to other ginning apparatus and means in said lower section sensitive to the quantity of cotton therein and operable to control the feed of cotton by said means for feeding cotton to the upper section in accordance with the variations of the quantity of cotton in the said lower section.

3. A combined feed control and preconditioning apparatus for bulk feeding material comprising a bin, said bin having an upper and a lower section, a first opening in the upper end of the upper section, means for feeding material into said upper section through said opening including a vacuum dropper preventing fluid flow through said opening, said upper section having a second opening below said first opening, said lower section having a third opening below said second opening, feed means between said second opening and said third opening for receiving material from said upper section and feeding the received material to said lower section including a vacuum dropper preventing flow of fluid between said upper and lower sections, said upper section having a fourth opening adjacent the upper end of said upper section and above said second opening, and a fifth opening adjacent the lower end of said upper section and below said fourth opening and above said second opening, said fourth and fifth openings being associated with conduits for introducing air into the lower end of said upper section and removal of said air at the upper end of said upper section, said lower section comprising a chamber at the lower end thereof for collecting material to be removed from said lower section, said chamber having means associated therewith for removing material therefrom, control means in said lower section sensitive to the quantity of material in said lower section, said control means being operable to control the feed of material to said upper section by the means for feeding material into said upper section in accordance with the amount of material in said lower section, a second feed means connected to said lower section above said control means and adapted to receive material previously removed from said chamber and feed said material into said lower section, said second feed means having a discharge end opening into said lower section.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said means for removing material from said chamber comprises apparatus for forcing air through said chamber and a valve means normally closing said discharge end of said second feed means to prevent the escape of air through said discharge end, said valve means being operable to an open position by the pressure of material delivered from said second feed means through said discharge end.

5. A combined feed control and preconditioning apparatus for cotton gins comprising a bin, said bin having an upper section and a lower section, a first opening in the upper end of the upper section, means for feeding cotton into said upper section through said first opening including a vacuum dropper preventing the flow of air through said opening, said upper section having a second opening below said first opening, said lower section having a third opening adjacent the upper end thereof, said third opening being below said second opening, a vacuum dropper connected to said second opening and said third opening, said vacuum dropper preventing the flow of air between said upper and lower sections and being operable to pass cotton from said upper section to said lower section, said upper section having a fourth opening and a fifth opening, said fourth opening being below said fifth opening, said fourth opening being adjacent the bottom of said upper section, means for introducing heated air into said upper section through said fourth opening, said fifth opening leading outwardly of said upper section for escape of said air through said fifth opening, said lower section having a lower chamber, means for introducing air into said lower chamber and blowing cotton in said lower section outwardly through said lower chamber, said lower section having a sixth opening, said lower section being adapted to be connected to the discharge end of a cotton distributor through said sixth opening provided in said lower section.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said fifth opening is positioned in the upper end of said upper section.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 including valve means positioned over the last mentioned opening, said valve means being biased to a closed position but being operable to an open position by cotton discharged through said discharge end for movement of said discharged cotton into said lower section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,538,244 Hopkins May 19, 1925 2,060,305 Hagler Nov. 10, 1936 2,158,752 Fowler May 16, 1939 2,214,680 Sims Sept. 10, 1940 2,332,413 Teague Oct. 19, 1943 

